Editing Incendiary device (section)

==Pre-modern history==
{{main|Early thermal weapons}}
A range of early thermal weapons were utilized by [[Ancient history|ancient]], [[Middle Ages|medieval]]/[[Post-classical history|post-classical]] and [[Early modern period|early modern]] armies, including hot [[pitch (resin)|pitch]], oil, [[resin]], animal fat and other similar compounds. Substances such as [[quicklime]] and [[sulfur]] could be toxic and blinding. Incendiary mixtures, such as the petroleum-based [[Greek fire]], were launched by throwing machines or administered through a [[siphon]]. Sulfur- and oil-soaked materials were sometimes ignited and thrown at the enemy, or attached to spears, arrows or [[Crossbow bolt|bolts]], and fired by hand or machine. Some siege techniques&mdash;such as [[Mining (military)|mining]] and boring&mdash;relied on combustibles and fire to complete the collapse of walls and structures.

Towards the latter part of the period, [[gunpowder]] was invented, which increased the sophistication of the weapons, starting with [[fire lance]]s.